More shit hits the fan at Draft/FCB!
This just in from Draft/FCB... Howard has fired CFO Bob Oates who had been at FCB for years. Widely regarded by many at FCB as one of the most decent, smart, kindhearted and talented people in the organization, rumor has it that because he wasn't too enamored about the excessive personal spending of Hughie, Louie & Dewey, (including Laurence's personal gym) they decided it was time for him to "spend more time with his family." Apparently Bob had the nerve to suggest that while laying off a 150 people, it might be good PR to cut down on such things as the cases of "Effen - Effen" and the new leopard skin seat covers for Howard's Aston. Must have pissed the greedy fuckers off. He will be missed.
.
Recommended cooling for Laurence's gym!
They probably figured "Friday during the last bit of summer vacation -- maybe no one will notice."
Did Oates sign off on the Cannes ad? Did he send Julie vodka and buy her one of the planets most expensive pieces of sushi against a clients ethical guidelines? Was he named as a litigant in a sexual abuse case? Dickheads.....
George, these clowns bit off WAYYYYY more than they could chew, all by way of hubris and ego. If they left two separate agencies alone hundreds of people would probably still be employed and these guys would never have been the fodder of almost a year of ridicule. You get what youy wish for, I suppose.
And I'll bet Steven Kinder is on tap, so to speak, for this CFO position. The Hamptons house may need a new roof.
Posted by: Auntie Christ | August 17, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Hmmm...how's the D/FCB "PR machine" going to handle this one?? They fired the only decent guy in top management - Bob clearly NEVER fit in. Anyone looking for a good CFO should grab him....he's the best - plus he's a total gentleman - that must have been what really got to that gang of thugs!! Gentlemanly, smart and talented are foreign concepts with that dregs of the earth gang that now heads up that sorry place. I can't imagine what decent financial person with any integrity would now go work for that place? Understand the concept of needing a job but working for those thugs should give one pause...Letting Bob go should actually give clients pause....Love your graphics, George. Very appropriate!
Posted by: LAM | August 17, 2007 at 09:08 AM
Wow - this is getting better & better. All those entries and their comments are the perfect manual for "How to self-destruct an ad agency in no time".
Posted by: The Cartoonist | August 17, 2007 at 09:24 AM
Greedy is at the heart of the American dream isn't it?
Posted by: Charles Frith | August 17, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Does anyone know the final count (although from this post, it seems like it's more of a running tally) of people who've been axed over the last three months? Is this some kind of record?
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 09:48 AM
Is one permitted to use the 'C' word on this blog?
Posted by: marcus @ the ides of march | August 17, 2007 at 09:52 AM
Today was also the last day of anyone still working on Verizon. You know, the 'lucky' ones who got to keep their jobs for an extra 6 weeks so that the work could be completed.
Posted by: is_there_a_draft_in_here | August 17, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Will the carnage continue? Labor Day layoffs?
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 17, 2007 at 10:45 AM
How can the carnage do anything but continue - why would any responsible client want to stay there? It'd be one thing if it was simply a case of the place being run by a bunch of mean, selfish pricks yet the work was efficient, effective and possibly even creative so therefore employees could feel proud or at least good about the product....but that's hardly the case here. D/FCB is nothing but a schlock fest in every single facet of their business - most particularly in their senior management ranks. Their bloated PR operation which produces idiotic blatherings are not just appallingly stupid, but indeed, counter productive. Rule one: DO NOT make a lot of noise about how great you are when you're on the losing streak these idiots are on. The world is way too transparent and everyone can easily "find you out"...laying off 150 people is serious stuff and it's more important to address THAT issue in a clear, honest, thoughful manner than to endlessly brag about some insignifcant $.29 account win that will NOT salvage anyone's employment (probably pay for another set of dumbells for Laurence, however). Once Howard lost the WalMart account because of his bad behavior, he should have kept his large fat mouth shut, studdied up on the concept of "client service" and assuming he's capable of learning something, tried applying some of the principles that guarantee a good healthy working relationship with clients. None of this madness would have happened if he had thought of putting the clients FIRST -not his own idiotic hubris-ridden ego (ie: publishing that absurdly tasteless lion ad AFTER just landing WalMart. ) NOTE TO MICHAEL ROTH: Assholes with chips on their shoulders and "something to prove" should NOT be put in charge of major business units....ah, they don't do it well...as has been demonstrated over the last 14 months of lunacy out of Draft/FCB....but do carry on, boys, you continually supply the best blog-fodder in the business...
Posted by: LAM | August 17, 2007 at 01:05 PM
LAM - NICE!!!!!!
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 17, 2007 at 01:31 PM
I think I'm in love with LAM.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 01:52 PM
LAM...
Great stuff... I am about to do a post. Stand by.
Cheers/George
Posted by: George Parker | August 17, 2007 at 03:22 PM
Don't kid yourself. Oates just ran out of luck. He's as greedy and self interested as the rest of them. He's spent the last 100 years of his career in that place, including sticking around since it became DFCB. And he would have stuck around as long as the paychecks kept coming. He may not be a defrocked creep or a sleezy Effen drinking idiot or a has been, make that never been creative director. But he is a selfish greedy money loving bean counter.
Posted by: aviddala | August 17, 2007 at 04:08 PM
Marcus...
You can use any word you want, starting from A and going all the way to Z. However the use of the word "Cunt" might upset some people here in the US, even though they say "Fanny" all the time, which in England means "Cunt."
In Britain you would use the "C" word when in the pub and you have been buying beers for someone all night and supplying them with "Fags" - The smoking kind... And have never been bought a pint, or offered a fag in return. In which case you would say... "Oy, Cunt... It's your shout."
Works every time.
Cheers/George
Posted by: George Parker | August 17, 2007 at 04:11 PM
aviddala:
What's clear from this blog, along with years of experience at various agencies, is that different people can have wildly differing experiences at the same agency, with the same people. (I refer you one thread on this blog -- can't remember which one -- in which Auntie Christ and I viciously debated the relative evil of various CDs. We agreed to unite in our mutual hatred of the place, and leave it at that.)
What makes Draft/FCB different is that there are so many people in management there (or that were there) that so many people hate with such a passion.
In most agencies where I've worked, this level of vitriol is generally reserved for one or two people -- not everyone in the place.
That's what makes DFCB so very special.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 04:44 PM
Dear Ex-
I absolutely agree with you. DFCB has more than its share of targets at the top because it has more than its share of truly despicable people at the top.
I spent my time at FCB. All the good people left. The bad ones, the ones that couldn't find a job anywhere else, hung in there and protected their turf and themselves at the expense of all else.
Oates was one of them but there are many more still there....the former President of the office (now an AD), the CCO, the whole rotten lot.
There are still some good people there and most of them are looking for a way out. I hope for there sake they find one.
Posted by: aviddala | August 17, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Well put, Ex! If it weren't for the nom de plume, I'd buy you a drink.
Seriously, the people who started at Kobs and Brady (Ye Olde Draft) were bitter for spending their entire careers there, and the rest of us were bitter for ultimately landing there. I never worked anyplace where it was quite so transparent that I was getting fucked left and right--from HR, from my supervisors, from my charges-- 'til the very end. Oy, cunts all!
Posted by: Auntie Christ | August 17, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Not to worry, Auntie -- already getting my drink on, so I'm taken care of. Hope you are too.
Although I was thinking of changing my name to "the only guy on the planet who hasn't heard of Effen Effen," per one of George's post, but it's just too long.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 05:19 PM
And speaking of fucking, there wasn't nearly enough inter-office sex. Proof that people weren't really getting along, from the start.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 05:20 PM
There was plenty of office fucking going on. Nobody was fucking you is all.
hehe
Posted by: lol | August 17, 2007 at 05:25 PM
That explains my years of discontent.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Ouch!!!
I think 150 people just got royally fucked.
Cheers/George
Posted by: George Parker | August 17, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Good point, George. Thanks for keeping us on point! But to my earlier question, is it 150? Hard to keep up.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 17, 2007 at 05:31 PM
I left FCB a few years ago. While there I had more than a few interactions with Bob Oates. He was, at least when I was there, one of the good guys. There were plenty of people willing to screw people over and otherwise treat peons with disdain. He wasn't one. Don't know about the recent Bob Oates, but the one I knew was a good and decent guy. Sad to hear. Seems the only good things to come of this merger are George's fame and his Huey, Louie & Dewey references. :)
Posted by: Used2BFCB | August 17, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Let’s see. The DraftFCB powers-that-be approve a Cannes ad featuring fornicating lions. Laurence is involved in a sexual abuse lawsuit. Howard is humping supermodels, showing off nude pictures of them on his cell phone. They get in bed with Julie, who’s banging Sean while trying to screw over Wal-Mart. But in the end, the CFO gets fucked. Brilliant.
Posted by: HighJive | August 17, 2007 at 08:42 PM
I worked with Bob. He is truly one of the good guys and very much a gentleman. Why in god's name do you think they let him go? He didn't "blend." Too hell bent on being ethical... The fact that he stayed there probably had more to do with the fact that he had been with FCB for 25 years and his retirement funds were most likely tied up in IPG stock which, as we all know, Michael Roth and his band of thieves has run straight into the ground so Bob's stock is probably worth no more than 15% of what it used to be...that, coupled with the fact that most of us HAVE to work for a living has been the reason he stayed. Also, FCB was a global shop and Bob had established good relationships with the country heads and the CFO's he worked with around the world. He was highly regarded by the financial people and that alone can be reason enough why people stay where they are. He may have simply wanted to protect his people and, since he was there for 25 years a certain comfort level can set in and change becomes even harder to do...so please DO NOT damn Bob for trying to stay the course. He probably thought he could protect some people and maybe make a difference...he's that kind of guy....sadly, he couldn't...NOW, why in hell do the remaining clients stay??? NO ONE seems to be able to answer that question...
Posted by: LAM | August 17, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Can't speak to the Bob Oates issue - only spoke to hiim once. Seemed like a pretty decent fellow.
Here's my thought on the current state of affairs - take it for what it's worth:
Virtually everyone at DFCB checks out AdScam daily - it's big time there now. And everyone in mgmt is aware of the predictions of an additional wave of layoffs. Why - at a company known for its extnesive use of internal memos and rah rah company meetings - has no denial of these baseless "romors" been issued? Why haven't HD and MR sent out a quick e-maiil to the nail biters saying, in eseence:
Dear Draftees:
Please be assurd: George Parker is full of shit - there will be no additional round(s) of layoffs in the foreseeable future. Now enjoy the rest of your summer and rest up - we're going to have our BEST YEAR EVER!!!!!!
Why haven' they issued such as denial? Because GP et al are correct. There will be another round of layoffs in the foreseeable if not immediate future. Probably just prior to Labor Day. So keep on bitin those nails folks.
Hey, one footnote. I wish no bad luck or ill will to the people on the assembly line - for the most part good, funny, hard-working folks. But there are a few people there - no names, titles or depts need be mentioned - who I'd love to see reamed, steamed and thrown out with yesterday's client lunch Panninis!
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 18, 2007 at 09:55 AM
dickhurtz, first, you know you can get a shot for that....second, spellcheck man!
To your point, the damage control that has been coming out of that place since the Wallymart imbroglio and announcement that Verizon was booking has sounded like a tin gorilla beating its chest: hollow and overzealous. If you win something small, don't scream it from the trees, it sounds pathetic. And when you lose something big, start looking for the reason why. Problem is top management would have to look in the mirror. It's easier to blame somebody else or say it's due to market conditions. You can't announce everything's peachy with a megaphone and lay off half the company at the same time. In the old days if management shoved a pack of lies down your throat, no one could question it. With this blog and everyone being fed up, the truth is finally starting to come out.
Posted by: Auntie Christ | August 18, 2007 at 11:28 AM
dickhurtz: Not to worry. I don't think anyone on this board thinks that your schadenfreude was directed at the poor folks in the trenches.
DFCB has had the opportunity to do some great stuff, both creatively and in terms of the business side, and management has consistently blown it. As LAM commented earlier, how do they retain the clients they still have?
More pointedly, what self-respecting person would ever accept a job there? I would hope that they'd check this blog first, and save themselves some grief.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 18, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Cartoonist, and George...I like the concept of a book "How to self-destruct an ad agency in no time." Whatever you want to call it, has anyone done a novel that was simply written as a series of blog posts? Seems like these days it may have already happened, but it would be interesting to watch the downfall of a BDA via a string of internet communiques.
Posted by: Auntie Christ | August 19, 2007 at 08:21 AM
I second that. Thanks, Auntie Christ - I've been wanting to suggest that myself. It could be along the lines of "e": George's blogs and the follow up comments on D/FCB are easily the content for such a tome...
And maybe we'll even achieve our goal in the process: expose these fuckers for what they truly are and perhaps then their remaining clients will finally "get it" and flee...as they should be in the process of doing NOW.
Posted by: LAM | August 19, 2007 at 09:31 AM
I think this is a brilliant idea.
Posted by: The Cartoonist | August 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Same concept as "How to lose a guy in 10 days," but without Kate Hudson's and Matthew McConnaughey's good looks.
I suggest we begin casting for the movie. Suggest looking at people who have played Nazis in previous movies for the main characters.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 19, 2007 at 10:04 AM
No one good looking need show up for the casting call....we'll need weak/double chins, pot bellies, pock-ridden ruddy skin tones complete with broken blood vessels. All these bastards are especially ugly...Oh, yeah, and no worries re: wardrobe costs...none of these guys have a clue about how to dress so go ugly and cheap and you'll be on the right track - make sure the shirt tails are ALWAYS hanging out of their pants...Howard LOVES that look.
Posted by: LAM | August 19, 2007 at 01:33 PM
Perhaps that's why I'm having such trouble with the casting -- the closest I've come is Tommy Lee Jones, but I'm not sure who he'd play. What's the name of the mean guy in the "Bourne Identity"? He's a possibility.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 19, 2007 at 02:49 PM
The movie would have to be simply called "Adscam". The name just fits. Let me know when the royalty check is ready!
Man that will be a tough casting session--I'm coming up blank on all players, except Julie. Maybe Tracy Lords could play her. Oh, how about Ron Jeremy for Howard? He's a fat disgusting pig, not as blustery as Howard though....guess my video collection is rather limited.
Posted by: Auntie Christ | August 19, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Too bad Charles Laughton is dead he could have played Howard..or frankly, any of them.
Need someone who can look like a homeless guy to play Brendan...won't have to say or, moreover, do much, just utter a few nasty comments under his breath...
Posted by: LAM | August 19, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Wow -This could be as much fun as renaming the trio. Someone please make a list of ALL the players -from Roth down to CDs - and we'll fill in the casting.
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 20, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Rosie O'Donnell as Teresa Fellows?
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 20, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Chris Cooper -- that's the name of the bad guy in Bourne Identity. Not sure who he'd play, though -- I was going to suggest Howard, but Cooper's obvious intelligence would make that casting unbelievable.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 20, 2007 at 10:12 AM
OK guys - here we go:
Howard Draft
Laurence B.
Jonathan Harries
Wendy Laurie
Chirs Becker
Amanda Van Doreen
Toni Hess
Brenda Ryan
Jeff Tarkajian
Anne DiLorenzo
Add to the list then let's get cracking.
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 20, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Mark Pacchini
Mark Modesto
Teresa Fellows
Michael Roth
and D/FCB's idiotic PR operation...
My understanding is that Anne DiLorenzo is a good lady, unless someone has something else to say, she should probably come off the list...after all, we probably don't want to dilute this gene cess pool of evil with someone who is fundamentally ok.
Posted by: LAM | August 20, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Teresa Fellows is a MONSTER. Is her idiot son still at the agency? Or did she fire him and then eat him?
Posted by: draftfcb_not_good | August 20, 2007 at 07:30 PM
OK. I agree.
Take Anne Dilorenzo off. Just because she's not especially good at her job doesn't make her a bad person.
How about Brendan? Does he deserve inclusion? My dealings with him were limited.
EVERYBODY ELSE STAYS! I savor the opportunity to vent my animus (wooh, that doesn't sound right at all) by matching them with the actors who will play them in the movie.
Posted by: dickhurtz | August 20, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Brendan definitely deserves inclusion. He's a lazy fuck up who'd throw anyone under the bus to further his own personal interests...and his curmudgeon personality would be tolerable if he weren't so fucking nasty...I mean, hey, Eeyore-types can be amusing...alas, Brendan is anything BUT amusing..and the truth is not exactly a long suit with him either...this guy is basically a mean insincere fuck up...His name stays on!!
Posted by: LAM | August 20, 2007 at 10:39 PM
THEY ALL ARE FUCKING HUMAN PIECES OF SHIT. nothing more to be said!
Posted by: draftfcb_not_good | August 20, 2007 at 10:49 PM
I have just discovered a source that tells me that, in fact, Bob Oates is still with Draftfcb.
My source?
Draftfcb's website. He is still listed as the CFO.
Put THAT in your pipe, folks...
Posted by: XdraftE | August 23, 2007 at 11:40 AM
From web2newyork.com/blog:
"I have now received confirmation from DraftFCB-spokesman Wally Petersen that Oates indeed was fired. ‘We and Bob Oates have mutually decided to part company,’ DraftFCB’s statement reads. ‘We wish him the very best.’"
They just haven't updated their website yet.
Posted by: Ex-Draft emp | August 23, 2007 at 02:51 PM
They just haven't updated their website yet.
Exactly...
Posted by: XdraftE | August 23, 2007 at 09:13 PM
So I have an interview at DFCB coming up. I got laid off recently, and I'll generally go talk to anyone for an initial interview - and then do the due diligence if they want me back for the marathon.
I couldn't sleep tonight so I started Googling, and found this charming site. It boggles my mind that they would be looking to hire if they just laid people off, but I've worked for enough clueless companies before.
What questions should I be asking? I'd be working in the digital or interactive or whateverthefuck they call it there dept.
Posted by: coyote | September 02, 2007 at 12:50 AM